After spending a year as a graduate assistant for the Baker University softball team, Jamie Stanclift has become the interim head softball coach and assistant volleyball coach for BU.

Following her first year at the helm of the softball team, Stanclift’s performance will be evaluated to see if her efforts kept the program going.

Jamie Stanclift, interim head softball coach and assistant volleyball coach, watches the BU volleyball team during the Baker Invitational Sept. 6-7.

“They’re not in the process of doing a search for another coach because they have confidence that I will be able to … continue moving the program in the right direction,” Stanclift said.

She came upon this job opportunity through her connection with former head softball coach Matt Windle.

“I went to high school at Free State, and I actually played volleyball and softball for coach Windle,” Stanclift said. “He was assistant softball and assistant volleyball coach.”

After graduating from Wichita State University and playing softball there for two-and-a-half years, Stanclift worked in sales. The former Shocker couldn’t stay away from the sport long, though.

“I just really missed softball and all I could think about was wanting to try to pursue coaching,” Stanclift said. “I wanted to get involved some how in collegiate sports.”

She thought of ways that she could accomplish her goal, and after speaking with Windle, she discovered the opening for a graduate assistant at Baker. As a member of the coaching staff last season, Stanclift assisted Windle in recruiting, travel and practice planning and budgeting.

“He was helping me better understand to prepare me to be a coach one day and we just didn’t know that this was going to happen so soon, so fortunately I have one year of experience under my belt,” Stanclift said.

For the upcoming season, she is looking forward to sharing the players’ excitement from their personal growth.

“Of course, game days are exciting, but I really just look forward to practice every day — the opportunity to spend time with the girls and help them grow and develop as athletes,” Stanclift said.